By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.
As Cochise College winds down from an accreditation visit, I’m a bit short on column topics. So in recognition of the season, I’ve crafted something you’ve never seen – a list of things for which I am thankful. While Cochise County is a scenic wonder on its own, you’ll notice my list focuses on something else – people.
I am most grateful for Cochise College students. Not only are they the reason we’re here. They also bring energy and motivation, curiosity and drive, new ideas and purpose. They have big plans and are full of hope. They bring meaning to our work and are set to change not just our communities, but our state and our world. Thank you to the students who continually breathe new life into the institution.
Close on their heels is the wonderful collection of faculty and staff that serve students. Together, they help shape dreams and share expertise to make those dreams come true. They motivate and inspire. They learn new things in order to stay on top of their game. They strive for institutional efficiency. Thank you, faculty and staff, for maintaining an encouraging, accessible, collegial culture that helps make Cochise a top employer in the region.
Some of our very best fan mail comes from alumni, whose heartwarming and often triumphant stories of lives changed because of their Cochise College experiences never fail to reinforce the college’s mission and remind us of the reason we are all here. Success, however a student defines it, reflects well on the college. Thanks to all of the alumni who share their stories each year.
Donors – those who give of their time, expertise, and resources – include members of the Cochise College Governing Board and Cochise College Foundation Board. The Governing Board, currently served by David DiPeso, Jane Strain, Dennis Nelson, Danny Ortega and Tim Quinn, has a reputation for dedication, commitment, and leadership. This board spends significant time and energy ensuring the college remains student focused and community based. Their leadership is admired by other boards around the state and nation and is one reason the college has been blessed with state and national recognitions. They allow and encourage the college to be innovative, creative, and take risks that will enhance the quality of life for those we serve well into the future. The foundation board provides leadership and wisdom as it relates to other donors and the community at large. Recognition of the value of higher education and a commitment to Cochise College’s mission combine to draw like minds together in support of the institution and student success. Thank you to these volunteers as well as all those who have donated time, talent and treasure.
Cochise County’s communities are geographically dispersed and ideologically, ethnically and economically diverse. This presents challenges but also keeps our work interesting. People come here from all over the world, and there’s a new opportunity around every corner. Thank you to the people of our communities who continue to support the college and present it with fresh ideas and perspectives.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.